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In Hollywood, only a few Asian American thespians have survived
the challenge of having continued visibility on television and
in movies. Amy Hill is one of them. Amy was involved with the
groundbreaking ABC sitcom, "All-American Girl" starring
Margaret
Cho. A show where Amy played the confused grandmother.
She has had several roles on television including "Maybe
This Time" with Betty White and Marie Osmond. She played
the character Sumi in the show "Pauly" and the character
Suji in NBC’s "The Naked Truth" with Tea Leoni.
Her career is not only limited to television, she has also been
in several movies such as "Singles", "Rising
Sun" and "Yellow".
She has also had success in theater. She had a part in Broadway
‘s Shakespeare show "Twelfth Night" with "Mad
About You" actress, Helen Hunt.
She has upcoming roles in the following movies, "Next Friday"
with Ice Cube and "Pavilion of Women" with Willem
DaFoe and John Cho.
Her success on the screen has helped her achieve recognition
as host of this year’s Golden Ring Awards, BUZZ Magazine’s "100
Coolest People in Los Angeles" and a nomination for the
1995 Cable Ace Award.
Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with the successful
Amy Hill.
AC (DENNIS):
Where were you born and raised?
AMY: I was born in Deadwood, South Dakota and raised
in Seattle.
AC
(DENNIS): Did you grow up in a strict Asian upbringing?
AMY: I grew up with a very strong Japanese and Finnish cultural
infusion. Definitely not Japanese-American. My mother
hung out with ladies from Japan and my dad hung out with Finns.
I, of course, wanted nothing to do with either and tried to
be as "American" as Beaver Cleaver.
AC
(DENNIS): How did you get involved with acting?
AMY: I always performed in my bedroom or on the front porch…in
my imagination.
AC
(DENNIS): What current/future projects are you working on at
the moment?
AMY: I’m working on several independent films, guest shots
on television series and developing projects for theater and
television.
AC
(DENNIS): You worked with Ice Cube in the upcoming movie "Next
Friday". How was it like to work with him?
AMY: He was great. Professional, kind and generous.
Very serious, too.
AC
(DENNIS): You are also in an upcoming film with Willem Dafoe
and John Cho titled "Pavilion of Women". How did it
feel to work with these guys and also to have a part in this
movie?
AMY: We had a blast! I hear the movie looks beautiful.
We shot in some of the most stunning areas and gardens around
Suzhou, right outside of Shanghai.
AC
(DENNIS): Let's talk about "All-American Girl".
How does it feel to have been a part of a show that is acknowledged
in college education books on "Multi-cultural Stereotypes"?
Several Asian publications regard it as an important show to
feature Asian leads.
AMY: It was certainly a very important part of my career.
However, I hope it was not my "high point".
I look forward to a long track record of theater and film as
well as television, and hope to play a part in "creating"
as well as performing.
AC
(DENNIS): It has been a few years since the show has ended.
How do you feel now about the cancellation of the show?
AMY: I'm still saddened by the lack of support within the
community and at the network level. We were not doing
poorly enough to warrant cancellation as far as ratings were
concerned. We could have used a second season to work
out some of the kinks.
AC
(DENNIS): O.k. Amy, let's get into some deeper questions.
What is the most satisfying part about being an Asian actress?
AMY: When it works, it is the most creative wondrous and
magical thing in the world. It’s as though you are doing what
you were put on this planet to do. Often it's just work...I'm
hired to do a job and I fulfill the requirements and I
am well trained to do it and it's not joyful. Thankfully,
it's not THAT often.
AC
(DENNIS): What is the most frustrating part about being an Asian
actress?
AMY: Gee, I don't know if I can separate that out.
I am an actress and I'm Asian American...they go hand in hand.
AC
(DENNIS): Let's dig into the life of Amy Hill. What is
a typical day for you?
AMY: I wake up...feed the dogs, walk the dogs, check e-mail,
get ready for work or get ready for auditions, juggle personal
life with professional projects, community events, support fellow
artists by seeing way too many shows...Today, for example, Saturday,
I'm painting my office, doing a couple of pick up shots on an
independent film, going to a friend's birthday party....My life
is always about juggling...the many, many balls. I rarely
have a "day off".
AC
(DENNIS): In an interview you did with Yolk in 1996, you said
that although you were enjoying the benefits of celebrity-dom,
you still have the same shitty car, a Mazda 323, the same house
and more money". Have things changed for you since then?
AMY: I'm remodeling, have a Volvo and have two dogs.
AC (DENNIS):
Let's have some fun. I begin with a sentence and you complete
it. Here is the first question: The
first time a fan went up to me I…
AMY: was in an elevator in San Francisco...she commended
me on my work at Asian American Theater Co.
AC (DENNIS):
My favorite food is...
AMY: Unfortunately, just about everything. Comfort
food is definitely Japanese.
AC (DENNIS):
My most embarrassing moment was when...
AMY: Geez...I'm embarrassed about SOMETHING almost daily.
It all shmooshes together. I realize this is a made up word...give
me some slack - it feels so right it can't be wrong.
AC (DENNIS):
My favorite song (or performer/group) I'm listening to currently
is...
AMY: I like everything except heavy metal. Depends
on my mood at any given time of the day. Usually prefer
non verbal...like jazz.
AC (DENNIS):
The first time I saw myself on television (or in a movie)
I...
AMY: Squirmed. I still squirm so I never watch myself.
I come from theater, where I can "IMAGINE" I look
totally different and never "see" myself. When I see
my image on film or video, I just like "me"...pretending
to be someone else and think, "who am I fooling?
AC
(DENNIS): What goals do you wish to accomplish in the future?
AMY: Just keep meeting each new challenge as it presents
itself. I feel pretty good about the future.
AC (DENNIS):
What advice can you give to the
people out there who want
to pursue a career in acting?
AMY:
It's very hard work. A cliché, I know, but...you just
have to be better than the next guy/gal and keep up the good
fight. And remember, you are the gift...who you are and
your collection of experiences is what makes you special.
AC (DENNIS):
What final words would you like to leave for your fans?
AMY: Thank YOU for being rock solid behind me.
Every person who tells me that I've made some difference is
immeasurably important. Also, remember to give words of encouragement
and support to the ones coming up...it's a very hard road.
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